Tibbles opens flashily with a D major Toccata full of slashing tremolos and a Gigue of a fugue that explodes in a torrent of little black notes. There’s even more spectacular virtuosity when Jenny Thomas joins him on a second instrument in a galvanic concerto for two harpsichords.

The finely-tuned taste of the man comes through in the subtle registrations of the aria that would go to inspire the Goldberg variations or an Aria del Postiglione rendered guitar-like through the cunning use of a buff stop.

A superb instrument, marvellous musicianship and exemplary Wayne Laird production makes this an obligatory purchase.

*****

Review by: William Dart, New Zealand Herald, June 27, 2009

Extempore, Chamber Music by the Sons of Bach

CD recording Atoll ACD 204

A new CD from Auckland's Extempore focuses on chamber music by the sons of Bach, and not just the expected Carl Philip Emanuel and Johann Christian. The younger Johann Christoph Friedrich is represented by a dashing account of a D minor Sonata by James and Sally Tibbles. It's dancing Allegro is a joy.

Violinist Graham McPhail and cellist Margaret Cooke join for the other three works, with the group at its most responsive in the Adagio from Carl Philip Enabuel's A minor Trio. The interplay of violin and flute is particularly affecting.

Although Cooke's continuo playing always has the necessary verve and buoyancy, for my taste, the cello tone too often dominates the recording. Otherwise this lovely, too little-known music has been exquisitely captured by producer Wayne Laird in the clear acoustics of the Auckland University Music Theatre.

Other "local connections" are here, with three of the five instruments made by New Zealand craftsmen. A plaintive-toned viola by Adrian Studer is the ideal music-mate for wooden flute in a C.P.E. Bach Quartet, while the tonal range of Paul Downie's fortepiano, pictured on the cover is remarkable.

James Tibbles makes the most of the range of Downie's instrument, from lighter-than-air, feathery chords to finely chiselled passage work.

Review by: William Dart, New Zealand Herald, September 2006

Sesquialtera; James Tibbbles plays New Zealand's historic Johannes Avery organ

CD recording Atoll ACD 406

Restoration of the 1779 John Avery organ at the Ponsonby Baptist Church, Auckland, NZ was completed by the English organbuilders Goetze & Gwynn in mid-2005 so it is now marvellous that this highly significant event has been commemorated through the issuing of this excellent CD recording. James Tibbles is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland in Early Music Performance and Performance Practice and brings his considerable skills and expertise to this recording.

The programme consists of works, or arrangements of works, by Handel, Stanley, Blow, Corelli and Nares, all roughly contemporary with the organ and appropriate to its resources. Thus such delicacies as the divided Sesquialtera / Cornet and the reconstructed treble Hautboy, together with the period temperament, are utilised to give a remarkable period flavour. Additionally, the extremely useful shifting movement pedal is used to remove the upperwork ad required, and thus invaluable for echo passages - it is completely silent in operation, operating on a single slid supplying wind to the Twelfth, Fifteenth and Sesquialtera / Cornet.

I was particularly struck by the marvellously stylistic playing. Appropriate ornamentation is used to embellish the musical line, the playing is nicely spacious with clear articulation, and the registration is well thought out to give a totally appropriate effect. James Tibbles is to be congratulated on this wonderful achievement. There is no other comparable instrument in Australasia for the authentic performance of the English repertoire of the 18th century period and this recording is entirely to be commended for presenting this significant instrument so well in such delightful repertoire. It is also accompanied by excellent sleeve note prepared by the performer.

Review by: JRM, OHTA News, October 2006